Drug reactions: chronic arsenic exposure: practice question

A Dermatology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Dermatology · Drug reactions: chronic arsenic exposure

Sample item

A farmer from an arsenic-contaminated groundwater region has punctate palmar keratoses, raindrop pigmentation on the trunk and a non-healing scaly plaque. What is the greatest concern?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

D. Bowen disease and squamous cell carcinoma

Chronic arsenic exposure causes raindrop hyperpigmentation, palmoplantar keratoses and skin cancers including Bowen disease, SCC and multiple basal cell carcinomas, and internal malignancy. The source of water must be addressed. Regular skin surveillance is needed.

Option by option

  • A. Cutaneous tuberculosis

    Tuberculosis is unrelated to arsenic.

  • B. Pemphigus foliaceus

    Pemphigus is autoimmune.

  • C. Pellagra

    Pellagra is niacin deficiency.

  • D. Bowen disease and squamous cell carcinoma (correct)

    Correct. Arsenical keratoses can progress to Bowen disease and SCC.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this Dermatology question

What is the answer to this Dermatology question?

The best answer is D, Bowen disease and squamous cell carcinoma. Chronic arsenic exposure causes raindrop hyperpigmentation, palmoplantar keratoses and skin cancers including Bowen disease, SCC and multiple basal cell carcinomas, and internal malignancy.

Why is "Cutaneous tuberculosis" not the answer?

Tuberculosis is unrelated to arsenic.

Why is "Pemphigus foliaceus" not the answer?

Pemphigus is autoimmune.

Why is "Pellagra" not the answer?

Pellagra is niacin deficiency.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Drug reactions: chronic arsenic exposure in Dermatology. The source of water must be addressed. Regular skin surveillance is needed.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Drug reactions: chronic arsenic exposure?

Learn each condition by its primary lesion, site and signature sign. Then use the flashcards and the other Dermatology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.